used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But as I did not much relish the habits and customs of the savages, I did not find myself of the same thankful disposition; so I replied to the Dean, that the change looked much like that of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The Peculiar People proving to be Savages, the Castaways seize the First Opportunity to leave them, not relishing their Company.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
CastawaysnounUS /ˈkæstəweɪz/
plural of “castaway” — a person who is rejected (from society or home)
From this reading The Peculiar People proving to be Savages, the Castaways seize the First Opportunity to leave them, not relishing their Company.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading The Peculiar People proving to be Savages, the Castaways seize the First Opportunity to leave them, not relishing their Company.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
customsnounUS /ˈkʌstəmz/
money collected under a tariff
From this reading But as I did not much relish the habits and customs of the savages, I did not find myself of the same thankful disposition; so I replied to the Dean, that the change looked much like that of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading 'We ought to be very thankful,' said the Dean to me one day, 'very thankful indeed for this deliverance.'
DeannounUS /diːn/
an administrator in charge of a division of a university or college
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
greatly pleased
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
deliverancenounUS /dɪˈlɪvərəns/
recovery or preservation from loss or danger
From this reading 'We ought to be very thankful,' said the Dean to me one day, 'very thankful indeed for this deliverance.'
leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
desolateadjectiveUS /ˈdesələt/
providing no shelter or sustenance
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading But as I did not much relish the habits and customs of the savages, I did not find myself of the same thankful disposition; so I replied to the Dean, that the change looked much like that of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire.
your usual mood
From this reading But as I did not much relish the habits and customs of the savages, I did not find myself of the same thankful disposition; so I replied to the Dean, that the change looked much like that of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire.
in a serious manner
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading But as I did not much relish the habits and customs of the savages, I did not find myself of the same thankful disposition; so I replied to the Dean, that the change looked much like that of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire.
a boy or man
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading But as I did not much relish the habits and customs of the savages, I did not find myself of the same thankful disposition; so I replied to the Dean, that the change looked much like that of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
start firing a weapon
From this reading But as I did not much relish the habits and customs of the savages, I did not find myself of the same thankful disposition; so I replied to the Dean, that the change looked much like that of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire.
FirstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The Peculiar People proving to be Savages, the Castaways seize the First Opportunity to leave them, not relishing their Company.
any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills
From this reading But as I did not much relish the habits and customs of the savages, I did not find myself of the same thankful disposition; so I replied to the Dean, that the change looked much like that of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
frying-pan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as I did not much relish the habits and customs of the savages, I did not find myself of the same thankful disposition; so I replied to the Dean, that the change looked much like that of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
plural of “habit” — an established custom
From this reading But as I did not much relish the habits and customs of the savages, I did not find myself of the same thankful disposition; so I replied to the Dean, that the change looked much like that of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading 'We ought to be very thankful,' said the Dean to me one day, 'very thankful indeed for this deliverance.'
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading But as I did not much relish the habits and customs of the savages, I did not find myself of the same thankful disposition; so I replied to the Dean, that the change looked much like that of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
latterlyadverb
in the recent past
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
go away from a place
From this reading The Peculiar People proving to be Savages, the Castaways seize the First Opportunity to leave them, not relishing their Company.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading But as I did not much relish the habits and customs of the savages, I did not find myself of the same thankful disposition; so I replied to the Dean, that the change looked much like that of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading But as I did not much relish the habits and customs of the savages, I did not find myself of the same thankful disposition; so I replied to the Dean, that the change looked much like that of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading 'We ought to be very thankful,' said the Dean to me one day, 'very thankful indeed for this deliverance.'
to a great degree or extent
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading But as I did not much relish the habits and customs of the savages, I did not find myself of the same thankful disposition; so I replied to the Dean, that the change looked much like that of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The Peculiar People proving to be Savages, the Castaways seize the First Opportunity to leave them, not relishing their Company.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading 'We ought to be very thankful,' said the Dean to me one day, 'very thankful indeed for this deliverance.'
and nothing more
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading The Peculiar People proving to be Savages, the Castaways seize the First Opportunity to leave them, not relishing their Company.
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading 'We ought to be very thankful,' said the Dean to me one day, 'very thankful indeed for this deliverance.'
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading But as I did not much relish the habits and customs of the savages, I did not find myself of the same thankful disposition; so I replied to the Dean, that the change looked much like that of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading The Peculiar People proving to be Savages, the Castaways seize the First Opportunity to leave them, not relishing their Company.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading The Peculiar People proving to be Savages, the Castaways seize the First Opportunity to leave them, not relishing their Company.
past form of “pray” — address a deity, a prophet, a saint or an object of worship; say a prayer
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
make a promise or commitment
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
provingverbUS /ˈpruːvɪŋ/
-ing form of “prove” — be shown or be found to be
From this reading The Peculiar People proving to be Savages, the Castaways seize the First Opportunity to leave them, not relishing their Company.
relishnounUS /ˈrelɪʃ/
vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment
From this reading But as I did not much relish the habits and customs of the savages, I did not find myself of the same thankful disposition; so I replied to the Dean, that the change looked much like that of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire.
relishingnounUS /ˈrelɪʃɪŋ/
taking a small amount into the mouth to test its quality
From this reading The Peculiar People proving to be Savages, the Castaways seize the First Opportunity to leave them, not relishing their Company.
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading But as I did not much relish the habits and customs of the savages, I did not find myself of the same thankful disposition; so I replied to the Dean, that the change looked much like that of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire.
rescueverbUS /ˈreskjuː/
free from harm or evil
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
Identical; not different.
From this reading But as I did not much relish the habits and customs of the savages, I did not find myself of the same thankful disposition; so I replied to the Dean, that the change looked much like that of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire.
SavagesnounUS /ˈsævədʒəz/
plural of “savage” — a member of an uncivilized people
From this reading The Peculiar People proving to be Savages, the Castaways seize the First Opportunity to leave them, not relishing their Company.
express in words
From this reading 'You should not say so,' replied the Dean.
seizeverbUS /siːz/
take hold of; grab
From this reading The Peculiar People proving to be Savages, the Castaways seize the First Opportunity to leave them, not relishing their Company.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading 'You should not say so,' replied the Dean.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
thankfuladjectiveUS /ˈθæŋkfəl/
feeling or showing gratitude
From this reading 'We ought to be very thankful,' said the Dean to me one day, 'very thankful indeed for this deliverance.'
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Peculiar People proving to be Savages, the Castaways seize the First Opportunity to leave them, not relishing their Company.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The Peculiar People proving to be Savages, the Castaways seize the First Opportunity to leave them, not relishing their Company.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The Peculiar People proving to be Savages, the Castaways seize the First Opportunity to leave them, not relishing their Company.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading 'We ought to be very thankful,' said the Dean to me one day, 'very thankful indeed for this deliverance.'
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Peculiar People proving to be Savages, the Castaways seize the First Opportunity to leave them, not relishing their Company.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
precisely as stated
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
which person or people
From this reading But as I did not much relish the habits and customs of the savages, I did not find myself of the same thankful disposition; so I replied to the Dean, that the change looked much like that of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I have not latterly said much about the Dean; but you may be very sure that such a fine fellow could not fail to be greatly delighted with the change that had come about, as it not only led us away from our desolate life on the desert island, but gave us a promise at least of the rescue which we had so earnestly prayed for.
